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Profar hopes to follow in Andrus' footsteps

3/23/13: Jurickson Profar collects two hits against the Reds, singling in the seventh and the ninth innings

By T.R. Sullivan
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MLB.com |

ROUND ROCK, Texas -- The next time the Rangers sign a shortstop to a long-term deal, Jurickson Profar hopes it's him.

The Rangers announced an eight-year, $120 million contract extension for Elvis Andrus on Thursday. Profar, the No. 1 prospect in baseball according to MLB.com, is happy for his fellow shortstop and hopes the Rangers sign him to a similar deal in the future.

"I wish," Profar said. "Good for him. He's a great guy. It's great for him."

Profar made his debut for Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday, going 2-for-3 with a walk and a run scored in a 3-1 win over Omaha. He spent most of last season with Double-A Frisco, hitting .281 with 14 home runs and 62 RBIs in 126 games before being called up to the Rangers in September.

Profar, who texted Andrus to congratulate him on the extension, hit .176 with two RBIs and two runs in eight Major League games.

With Ian Kinsler in the first year of a five-year extension he signed last April and Andrus locked up through at least 2018, something will have to change before Profar, 20, can earn a spot in the everyday lineup. He is playing mostly shortstop for Round Rock, although he wouldn't mind playing second base.

"I grew up playing [shortstop] so that's why I like it there," he said. "Second base, it's a little different position. It's a shorter throw, and you don't have to do a lot."